Clock control for radios



Aug. 29, 1944.

. J. T. STATTNER CLOCK CONTROL FOR RADIOS Filed April l '1942 4 Sheets-.Sheet l Y; i l

INVENTOR.

Aug. A29, 1944. J. 1". sTA'rTNER 2,357,06'1

CLOCK CONTROL FOR RADIOS Filed April l, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 AU8 29, 1944. J. T. sTA'rTNER 2,357,051

CLOCK CONTROL FOR RADIOS 1 Filed April 1, 1942 4 sheets-Sheet 4 Tzvam Patented Aug. 29, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOCK CYONTROLFOR RADIOS Joseph T. steamer, New York, N. Y.

Application April 1, 1942, Serial No. 437,190

2 Claims. (Cl. 161-1) This invention relates to clock control for radio.

An object of this invention is to provide an automatic time switch for radio, controlled by mechanical and electrical lalarm clocks, to turn any radio receiving set on and ofi, so that any desired breakfast program selected may be automatically tuned in and out at desired times.

The advantages of this construction are as follows:

(l) You may stay in bed and be awakened by your favorite music or exercise program, and said program will stay on for a predetermined period of time and then shut oi automatically.

(2) By setting the dials and time switch ahead of time, a person may go about his work, and the desired program will come on, thereby avoidingv the possibility of forgetting to tune in manually on some good story or speech or some other program.

Still another objectof this invention is to .provide a simple and durable mechanism of the character described, which shall be easy to attach to any radio, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and yet practical and eicient to a high degree.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of yparts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims. s

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a radio with an alarm clock thereon, to control turning on and off the radio;

Fig. 2 is awiring diagram illustrating the electrical connections for the control of the on and off switch;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of part of the clock mechanism, illustrating the time control switch;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 3, with parts broken away and in crosssection, and showing the switch in voft position Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the switch in on position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view' of a detail of the switch in off position;

Fig. 7 is ay perspective view similar tov Fig. 6, and showing the position of the part when the switch is on;

Fig- 8 is a front elevational view of an electric alarm clock to control the on and off switch ofthe radio, embodying the invention, and illustrating a modiiied construction, and showing the switch in o position;

Fig. 9 is a partial view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the switch in on position;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line IU-III of Fig.8; f

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of a radio with a clock to control the on and oil switch of the radio, and incorporated into the radio;

Fig. 12 is an elevational, transverse, cross-sectional view of the clock mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on line |3-I3 of Fig. l2;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on line |4-I4 of Fig. 12'; and

Fig. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a detail.

Referring now .in detail to the drawings, |0 designates a radio provided with an on and ofi switch dial II. Mounted on the radio is a clock I2 adapted to control the turning on or off 0f the radio in a manner hereinafter appearing. The clock |2 comprises a switch I3 having contacts |4 and I5. The contact I5 is movable and is controlled by a cam I6 connected to the clock train and adapted to make one revolution every twelve hours.

Means is provided to close the switch |3 at any predetermined set time, as will be hereinafter described. The switch contacts I4 and I5 are connected by wires I8 and I9 to a plug 20 having blades receivable in a socket 2|. The terminals in the socket 2| are connected to wires 22 and 23, respectively. Wire 22 is connected to a terminal of a plug 24 adapted to be inserted in a wall receptacle. Connected to the other terminal of the plug 24 is a wire 25 which is connected to one side 26 of the radio on the receiving set. Wire 22 is also connected by wire 21 to one terminal of a manual on and oi switch 28. The other terminal of the on and oi" switch 28 is connected by wire 29 to a spring contact 30. Wire 23 is connected to spring contact 3|. Adjacent contact 30 is another spring contact 32, connected by wire 33 to the other side 34 of the radio receiving set.

The on and off dial of the radio, has an' arm Ila, adapted to press the switch contacts 30, 3| and 32 into mutual contact when turning the dial to on position. When the dial is turned to ofi position, the switch contacts 30, 3| and 32 separate from one another.

It will now be understood that when the dial I is turned to on position, and the "on and off switch 28 is on, the radio will be tuned in. When the dial is turned to off position, the radio will be tuned out. However, when the on and off switch 28 is turned to off position, turning of the dial to on position will not tune in the radio until the switch I 3 is closed, in the manner hereinafter appearing.

Wire 23 may be permanently attached to wire 29, thus eliminating the switch contact 3|. It

will be noted that the clock control switch |4 and I5 is shunted across the on and off switch 28.

It will be noted that the plug may be disconnected from socket 2|, in which case, the switch 28 is turned on so that the radio will operate in the usual manner.

The mechanism for turning the switch on and off will now be described:

Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, the clock I2 may be in the form of a usual alarm clock. The alarm clock comprises a frame 40. The wire I9 may be connected to a binding post |9a on the frame 40. The wire I8 is connected to a terminal I4, likewise mounted on the frame 40, but insulated therefrom by an insulating sleeve 43.

Connected to the clock train of the clock, is the cam I6. Said cam makes one revolution each twelve hours as stated above. The cam I6 is in the form of a cylindrical collar and has a notch 44. Extending through the collar I6 is a shaft 45 connected to a handle 46. The collar I6 is slidably mounted on shaft 45. Fixed to one end of shaft 45 is a radial arm 41. The handle 46 may be rotated to set the arm 41 at any proper angle to determine the time at which the radio is to be turned on.

Fixed to the frame is a spring contact |5. The spring contact I5 is fixed at one end thereof to said frame as at 5|. The contact I5 is formed with an opening 52, through which the shaft 45 passes. Said spring contact contacts collar I6 and tends to slidably move said collar outwardly on shaft 45. The free end 54 of the spring contact I5 is disposed adjacent the contact I4. When the arm 41 contacts the outer rim of the collar I6, said collar is retracted to push the spring contact I5 to the position shown in Fig. 4, in which position, said spring contact is not in contact with the contact or terminal I4.

As the collar |6 rotates with the clock mechanism to a point where the arm 41 enters the notch 44, the spring Contact I5 will move the collar |6 from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5, and the outer end 54 of said spring contact will engage the terminal I4, thus completing the circuit for the radio.

It wi be noted that as the clock mechanism continues to operate; the arm 41 will ride out of the notch to again open the switch I5, I4. The shape of the notch may be such as to regulate the length of time during which the switch I5, I4 is closed. The handle 46 may be turned to bring the arm 41 to any desired position, so that the radio will be turned on at any desired time.

In Figs. 8. 9 and lO there is illustrated an electric clock to control the turning on and off of the radio. Electric clock 60 may be in the form of an electrical alarm clock. Connected to terminals 6| and 62 on the clock, are the wires .I8 and i6 which are connected in circuit, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Clock 60 includes a train of clock gearing 65 including a pinion 66 fixed on a horizontal shaft 61. Fixed to the front of the shaft 61 is a transparent disc 68 marked with a clock face hour dial 10. On shaft 61 is a sleeve 1I, to the front end of which is fixed a pinion 12. On the front of pinion 12 is marked a pointer 12a adapted to cooperate with the dial 10 on disc 68. On sleeve 1| is another sleeve 13 carrying a disc 14 formed with a notch 15 in the periphery thereof.

On the frame-work of the clock is mounted a shaft 16 carrying a pinion 11 meshing with the pinion or gear 12. Shaft 16 carries a head adapted to be rotated in the rear of the clock for setting the time at which the radio is to be turned on, as will appear hereinafter.

Rotation of shaft 16 will cause rotation of gear 12 relative to disc 68 to bring the pointer 12a in alignment with the hour on dial 10 at which the radio is to be turned on. The normal operation of the clock mechanism will cause rotation of the cam disc 14, sleeve 1| and gear 12 by means of a coil compression spring 80, received on shaft 61 and interposed between a collar 8| fixed on shaft 6,1 and the disc 14, as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. Thus, when the clock mechanism is operating, gear 12, rotates together with the dial disc 68.

Pivoted to the frame-work of the clock, as at 82, is a lever 83 formed with an integral offset arm 84 contacting the periphery of disc 14 and maintained in engagement with the periphery of said disc by a torsion spring 85 on the pivot shaft 82. The torsion spring 85 tends to rotate the lever 83 in a counterclockwise direction looking at Fig. 8 of the drawings. The upper end 86 of lever 83 is normally held in spaced relation with respect to terminal 6| by the periphery of disc 14, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

As the disc rotates, however, notch 15 will come into registry with arm 84, permitting the torsion spring 85 to swing lever 83 in a counterclockwise direction into engagement with terminal 6| to complete the circuit between the wires I8 and I9 for turning the radio on. The angular extent of the notch 15 determines the period during which the radio is on. When arm 85 again rides out of the notch and into the periphery of the disc 14, the radio is turned off.

In Figs. l1 to l5 there is disclosed a modified construction in which the radio has a mechanical clock 9| disposed therein and mounted on hinges 92, so that the clock may be swung outwardly about said hinges. On the front of the clock is an hour dial 93 and rotatably mounted thereon, is a handle 94'provided with a pointer 95. Rotation of the handle 94 will set the hour at which the radio is to be turned on. Within the clock are terminals 96 and 91 likewise connected to wires I8 and I9 in the circuit illustrated in Fig. 2v of the drawings.

The dial handle 94 is mounted on a shaft 98 to which the pointer 95 is fixed. Within the clock is an arm |06 likewise fixed to shaft 98 and aligned with the dial pointer 95, so that upon rotating the handle 94, the pointer 95 rotates together with the arm |00 and the two are always in alignment. Attached to the upper end of arm |00 is a coil spring |0| having a portion |02 extending inwardly in a direction parallel to the axis of shaft 98.

The clock 8| comprises a frame |05 in which is mounted a clock gearing |06 including a shaft |01, to which is xed an arm |08. Shaft; |01 is co-axial with shaft 98. The upper end of arm |08 is adapted to contact portion |02 of spring |0I. Arm |08 makes one revolution in twelve When arm |08 contacts spring portion |02, the ,circuit is completed between wires I8 and I9,

to turn on the radio. Thus, by turning handle 94, arm |00 may be set to any desired hour, and at that hour, arm |08 Will contact spring |02 to complete the circuit. The circuit will remain complete until arm |08 by-passes spring portion |02. By adjusting the length of spring portion |02, the time during which the radio is on may be adjusted.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In combination with a radio receiving circuit, a wall plug, a wire connecting one terminal of the wall plug to one side of said circuit, a switch element, means to connect said element to the other side of said circuit, a second switch element, a second wire connecting the other terminal of said wall plug with said second switch element, a manual on and off switch interposed in said second wire, a clock controlled switch, a second plug, wires connecting the terminals of the clock control switch with the terminals of said second plug, an electric socket adapted to receive the blades of said second plug, a wire connecting one terminal of said socket to said second wire on one side of the on and olf switch, a third -switch element, a wire connecting the other terminal of said socket with said third switch element, said first and second switch elements being normally open, but adapted to be interengaged, said third element being normally spaced from one of said rst two elements but being movable into contact therewith, a. handle, and means on the handle to cause said rst and second elements to interengage and said third element to contact one of said first two elements.

2. In combination with a radio receiving set, including a receiving circuit, a wall plug, a wire connecting one terminal of the Wall plug with one side of the receiving circuit, a switch adapted to be closed by turning a handle on the radio receiving set, means to connect one contact of said switch with the other side of said radio receiving circuit, a second wire connecting the other terminal of said plug with the other contact of said switch, a manual on and off switch interposed in said second wire, a clock having a switch, and means to close said switch at a predetermined time, a detachable connector having a pair of terminals, wires connecting the same to the terminals of said clock switch, a second detachable connector complementary to said first connector and having a pair of terminals engageable with the terminals of said rst; connector, conducting' means connecting one terminal of ysaid second connector to said second wire on one side of said on and off switch, and means to connect the other terminal of said second connector with said second wire on the other` side of said on and off switch, upon closing said first mentioned switch, by operating said handle on the radio receiving set.

JOSEPH T. STA'I'INER. 

